For example:"we formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh... and were by nature children of wrath... BUT GOD Who is rich in mercy, because of His great love... made us alive together with Christ"

You will find this pattern all over the New Testament. The writer will state a sad or negative reality, then declare "But God" and demonstrate the ability of God to overrule that sad or negative reality with the truth of Who He is and What He has done.